PNW Presents Virtual Discussion with Award-Winning Author Anthony Ray Hinton

Anthony Ray Hinton, author of “The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row,” will deliver a virtual talk at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, April 22. The event is part of the One Book, One Community program of reading, reflection and discussion. The public is invited to register and attend.

Hinton, a New York Times bestseller and winner of the 2019 Christopher Award, 2019 Moore Prize and an Oprah’s Book Club selection for 2018, will speak on criminal justice reform. His book is considered a powerful, revealing story of hope, love, justice and the power of reading by a man who spent 30 years on death row for a crime he did not commit.

The One Book One Community program provides university and community members an opportunity to explore issues that are not only important, but integral to society and the community, through reading and discussion of a selected book. This year, Purdue University Northwest partnered with the Hammond Public Library to share in the reading and discussion of Hinton’s book. The book also served as a common text for all first-year students at PNW.

“Mr. Hinton’s compelling story shines a spotlight on, and puts a face to, an important issue facing our country,” said Elaine Carey, dean of the College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences. “His talk will give us an opportunity to explore the issue of criminal justice reform and allow for important reflections and discussions on a topic that impacts our community. This event is about awareness, education and advocacy.”

In 1985, Hinton was arrested and charged with two counts of capital murder in Alabama. Stunned, confused, and only 29 years old, Hinton knew that it was a case of mistaken identity and believed that the truth would prove his innocence and ultimately set him free. Sentenced to the death penalty, he would spend the next 30 years on a quest for justice—and finally see the sun again.

Bryan Stevenson, a widely acclaimed public interest lawyer, and the Equal Justice Initiative defended him. With Stevenson’s help, Hinton won his release in 2015. For his work, Hinton received the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work in the category of nonfiction. Since his release, Hinton has devoted himself to criminal justice reform.

This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required to attend. Visit pnw.edu/one-book for more information or to register.